BUS FPX 4121 Assessment 4 Operations, Technology, Data Security, and Ethics

Student Name

Capella University

BUS-FPX4121 Ethics in Health Care Management

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

Patient privacy stands as a cornerstone for compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and ethical standards within healthcare. Breaches in protected health information can lead to significant legal repercussions and undermine trust in our organization. Thus, our clinic holds a moral obligation to assure patients of their privacy protection. Recent incidents of compromised patient data utilizing our current software and grievances stemming from inadequate communication between our system, hospital networks, and other providers underscore the urgency for upgrading our Health Information Technology (HIT) system. This proposal delineates the necessity and advantages of upgrading our HIT system to enhance patient care and confidentiality (Bates et al., 2003; Laukka et al., 2020; Yen et al., 2017).

Proposal

This proposal advocates for upgrading our current HIT system to its latest version. We will explore the potential impacts of this upgrade and investigate alternative routes.

Impact

The proposed upgrade promises several positive impacts. Firstly, it will fortify patient health information security, ensuring their protected data remains secure within our facility. Secondly, it will facilitate inter-system communication, streamlining the exchange of crucial information with other healthcare systems. Enhanced communication will improve referral processes, prescription management, and laboratory test coordination, ultimately reducing errors and enhancing patient safety. Additionally, providing online access to electronic health records (EHR) will empower patients, alleviate anxiety, and minimize misunderstandings associated with handwritten notes. EHR systems mitigate human errors, enhance data interpretation, and safeguard against unauthorized alterations, thereby augmenting the quality of care delivered (Bates et al., 2003; Sieck et al., 2020; Yen et al., 2017).

Issues

Failure to implement these upgrades may lead to ethical dilemmas and compromised patient safety. Misinterpretation of physician orders and inadequate protection of patient health records can erode trust and integrity. Non-compliance with HIPAA regulations could result in fines and legal actions, further tarnishing our reputation. Upholding patient rights, confidentiality, and trust is paramount in maintaining ethical standards within our clinic (Forrestal & Cellucci, 2016; Laukka et al., 2020).

Conclusion

The evolving landscape of healthcare necessitates continuous technological advancements. Upgrading our HIT system to foster inter-communicative capabilities is imperative for enhancing patient care and instilling confidence in both patients and staff. By safeguarding patient health information and facilitating access to medical records, we reinforce our commitment to providing quality care while mitigating risks associated with human error and communication breakdowns.

References

Bates, D. W., Ebell, M., Gotlieb, E., Zapp, J., & Mullins, H. C. (2003). A proposal for electronic medical records in U.S. primary care. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA, 10(1), 1-10.

BUS FPX 4121 Assessment 4 Operations, Technology, Data Security, and Ethics

Forrestal, E. J., & Cellucci, L. W. (2016). Ethics and professionalism for healthcare managers. Health Administration Press. Chapter 12.

Laukka, E., Huhtakangas, M., Heponiemi, T., & Kanste, O. (2020). Identifying the roles of healthcare leaders in HIT implementation: A scoping review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(8), 2865.

Sieck, C. J., Pearl, N., Bright, T. J., & Yen, P. (2020). A qualitative study of physician perspectives on adaptation to electronic health records. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 20(1), 25-25.

Yen, P., McAlearney, A. S., Sieck, C. J., Hefner, J. L., & Huerta, T. R. (2017). Health information technology (HIT) adaptation: Refocusing on the journey to successful HIT implementation. JMIR Medical Informatics, 5(3), e28-e28.

BUS FPX 4121 Assessment 4 Operations, Technology, Data Security, and Ethics